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Twitter'Torchwood's' John Barrowman says show is being 'punished'
The BBC is selling the upcoming "Torchwood: Children of Earth" miniseries as a TV event. Series star John Barrowman doesn't believe the hype.
Barrowman, who plays Capt. Jack Harkness on the "Doctor Who" spinoff, believes that the five-episode miniseries -- which will air Monday to Friday next week in the United Kingdom and later in July in the United States -- is in fact a punishment after two successful seasons that each ran for 13 episodes.
"The five episodes, the miniseries as I call it, are incredible --- I have no doubt about that --- but personally, I felt like we were being punished," Barrowman tells the U.K. magazine Radio Times. "Other shows move from BBC3 and 2 to 1, and they don't get cut. So why are we? It felt like every time we moved we had to prove ourselves."
The show has proved its worth across the pond, scoring strong numbers for its first season on BBC3 and even better ones when it moved to BBC2 for its second season. "Children of Earth" will mark "Torchwood's" debut on the flagship BBC1; it airs July 6-10 there and July 20-24 on BBC America.
"Torchwood" creator Russell Davies, however, says he's been on board with the changeup from the start.
"Part of us thought, 'We could do another 13 episodes, we've learnt how to do that, and the second series was better than the first.' But why not change it?" Davies tells the Guardian newspaper. "... BBC America, who show 'Torchwood,' are furious that we've changed the format. But they're not our paymasters. It's the British audience we make these for. And I don't think audiences are remotely lost by a change in format."
Barrowman will be at Comic-Con on Sunday, July 26. What do you bet someone will ask him about his remarks?
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Related:
'Doctor Who's' David Tennant to visit Comic-Con
Watch the 'Torchwood: Children of Earth' trailer
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I agree with Barrowman. It is not only the cast being "punished" it is the viewers. As an American who watches BBC America, I am sorely disappointed that they cut the season to only five shows with an ongoing plot line. This finally may be cause for me to find something else to fill my Sa****ay evenings.
While I'm loathe to disagree with La Barrowman, I'm not sure it's a punishment so much as a financial decision. Everyone is looking for ways to cut costs, the BBC is no exception. As a fan, I am sorely disappointed in the shortened season. However, if they haven't sacrificed quality, then I will be grateful for what I get. Heck, I'm ticked at BBC America for making us wait two extra weeks just so they can promo their HD...
I thought I heard that the reason both Doctor Who and Torchwood were having short seasons was because of all the whatever going on the BBA channels due to the 2010 Olympics in London. If it wasn't for that, they would have regular seasons. Is that not true?
Considering that the 2010 Olympics are Winter Olympics in Vancouver and that the London Summer Olympics aren't until 2012, I would say it's not true.
Really very bummed that we were earlier told that the 5-part Torchwood season 3 would air on BBC America the same night as it aired on BBC, only to find out now that it's airing 2 weeks later. Which wouldn't be a big deal except that the BBC America airing overlaps with Comic-Con, meaning I won't be able to finish watching the season until I return from Comic-Con. Which in turn means I'll probably have to skip the Torchwood panel entirely to avoid spoilers. Very poor planning on the part of BBCA.
I have to say I agree with John. I don't see the reasoning behind this format and I'm very disappointed that it's been altered.
Bummer, Chris. I thought they were co-ordinating with CoE with a showing of the final part at Comic Con...forget where I read that. I'm so jealous - have a great time!
Oh, they are. Part 5 and Doctor Who Planet of the Dead will be shown on Friday night at Comic-Con, but Comic-Con starts on Wednesday night and I won't be around to watch parts 3 and 4 because, well, I'll be at Comic-Con.
On the scale of problems, though, it's a pretty nice problem to have, I'll admit. :p
British television just seems to be crazy. First Torchwoods slays 2 main characters, and now chop up the show. It's like Primeval killing off major characters each season it's been on. British SciFi and mystery series are so much superior than vast majority of US usually, but their politicking is just nutty.
It's bad enough that they only had a 13 episode season to begin with. That's how they're set up for most shows over there in the UK including the mega hit "Doctor Who" (the parent to "Torchwood", this show is a spin-off from "Doctor Who"). I much prefer the American standard of 20-22 episodes a season. So I'm with Barrowman on this, it's stupid that they cut it to only 5 episodes.
It's not just Americans who are upset about the cut. My British online friends have all expressed their anger that the season is only five episodes shown within the course of a week. Doctor Who at least had an excuse for just doing 90 minute specials this season--David Tennant was busy doing Hamlet for the RSC and recovering from back surgery.